The annual Vaarshika Thaipoosam Thirunaal Festival in Nadi is expected to attract a bigger turnout this year.

The 10-day event for Hindu devotees is set for January 25 to February 4 at the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Thiru Kovil temple.

This will be the 92nd edition of the festival. Devasthanam board treasurer Anand Sami Kumar said devotees from around the country and overseas always made themselves available.

“We have this 10-day festival every year and we are gearing up for a very high number this year,” he said.

“There are a lot of renovations going on. We are getting extra water tanks for the pooja and hope for a good outcome.”

Mr Kumar said the festival is believed to be a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Murugan to ensure that the year 2018 gives them prosperity, good health, peace and protection from evil.

Mr Kumar said they were also looking forward to the Mahakumbhabisekam Pooja, which will be hosted from June 14 to 17.

“As per in Saiva Agama [Lord Shivas tradition], once in every 12 years we have to perform Mahakumba Abhishekam pooja for the temple,” he said.

“The temple will be celebrating this auspicious pooja with 48 days of Manadala Abishekam pooja.

The temple is the largest outside India located in the Southern Hemisphere

Devotees look forward to the Panguin Uthiram Pooja [Kavadi Pooja] scheduled for March 28 to 30.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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